eagle wings
TRANSCRIPT
Seaway Trail, Inc.
315.646.1000
www.seawaytrail.com
New York Sea Grant
315.312.3042
www.nyseagrant.org
This brochure was funded by a Scenic Byway
Grant from the FHWA to Seaway Trail, Inc.
Eagle WingsNatural Features Dive Site
Clayton, NY
Dive Site Steward
Dive Flag Laws in New YorkOnce a boat is anchored and diving is about to begin, the vessel must fly a red and
white divers down” flag. By law, the boat must also fly the blue and white “Al-
pha” flag. Divers must stay within 100 feet of the dive flags. Surface vessels must
stay a minimum of 100 feet away from the flags. All standard, safe diving proce-
dures relating to towing dive flags must be followed.
Welcome to the Seaway TrailNew York State’s National Scenic Byway... the road that leads to great adventures
and lifelong memories for you and your family.
The New York State Seaway Trail is a 454 mile scenic route paralleling the St. Lawrence River,
Lake Ontario, the Niagara River and Lake Erie. Seaway Trail Pennsylvania continues the route 50
miles along Lake Erie to the Ohio state line. A well-marked alternative to interstate highways and
toll roads, the Seaway Trail leads to eye-opening treasures you might otherwise overlook. Travel-
ing the Trail takes you to sophisticated cities, quaint villages, fishing ports, and dozens of family
attractions, restaurants, accommodations and shops. Come visit us soon. We’ll help make your
next vacation one you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Use the green and white trailblazers along the Seaway Trail to guide you on your
journey from West Springfield on Lake Erie to Rooseveltown on the St.
Lawrence. Each marker features footprints and a watermark reminding you that
the route parallels NYS’s and Pennsylvania’s freshwater coastline.
NYS Seaway Trail is proud to have been selected as a National Scenic Byway by
the U.S. Department of Transportation. National Scenic Byways “possess out-
standing qualities that exemplify the regional characteristics of our nation.” The
Seaway Trail was chosen for its unique landscape which has been sculpted by the
forces of nature and for its historical significance.
“Dive the Seaway Trail” and enjoy some of the Northeast’s finest freshwater
diving sites, with a full complement of Wreck, Shoal, Deep, and Historical diving.
For over two centuries the lake and rivers have been major shipping thorough-
fares. Today, the Seaway Trail is the final resting place of hundreds of ships,
dating back to the late 1700’s.
Experience all the terrific dives of the
Seaway Trail!
Save The River!315-686-2010
www.savetheriver.org
Save The River! is a non-profit, member-
based environmental organization whose
mission is to preserve and protect the eco-
logical integrity of the Thousand Islands
Region of the St. Lawrence River through
advocacy, education and research.
Dive Site InformationLocation: One and one half miles northwest
of the Clayton waterfront.
GPS: N44.14.944 W076.06.266
Access: Boat only.
Depth: 12 -80 feet.
Visibility: 40 to 50 feet.
Temperature: 50 to 70 degrees F.
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate.
Bottom: Rocky.
Hazards: Weather conditions and
unexpected weather changes should be a
constant consideration. Strong currents may
be present. Recreational and commercial
boat traffic.
Description: The Eagle Wings dive site
provides all divers with the opportunity to
explore geological, historical and ecological
diversity of the Thousand Islands region.
Unique rock formations grow from
gumdrop-like pinnacles and tower over the
rocky folds complementing the lunar
backdrop. Steep escarpments on both the
southern and northern perimeter serve as
travel hubs for deep water life as well as fish
residing in the meadow-like shallows.
The diving season is typically May through
mid-October. May to early June and late
summer are the best times to dive.
Take only pictures…
…leave only bubblesAbandoned submerged items resting within
the jurisdiction of New York State are the
property of the state. New York State
Education Law Article 5, Section 233, states
“…no person shall appropriate, excavate,
injure or destroy any objects of
archaeological and paleontological interest,
situated on or under lands owned by the
state of New York, without written
permission of the Commissioner of
Education. Violation of this provision shall
constitute a misdemeanor.”
The Eagle Wings***A Natural Features Dive Site on the Seaway Trail***
Emergency InformationUS Coast Guard Station Alexandria Bay:
Marine Band Radio: Channel 16
Phone: 315.482.2574
Jefferson County Emergency: 911
E. J. Noble Hospital: 315.482.2511
Divers Alert Network: 919.684.8111
The nearest recompression chamber is in
Kingston, Ontario.
Suggested Dive Route: Descending at the
mooring line, travel clockwise around the shoal.
For the first part of the dive travel west against
the current in about 30' of water. The shoal’s
northern edge reveals a wall which drops to 80'.
Continue to circle the shoal with the current and
return into the current to entry point.
Ecology: Rocky shoals and adjacent deep water
habitat are the foundation for the ecological
diversity found amidst the Eagle Wing Group.
Shallow water predators such as the largemouth
bass and northern pike may be seen foraging on
bait fishes around the islands. Extensive weed
beds of milfoil and other aquatic plants provide
optimum cover for such wildlife. Due to the
region’s extreme depths, deep water fish such as
smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and
muskellunge are frequent visitors to the site.
Divers can also enjoy the picturesque clustering of Yellow perch and alewife. Approachable
freshwater drum, carp and suckers fall under the benthic variety and are often observed amidst
the rocky gentle slopes.
Geology: Submerged ‘riverscapes’ provide visitors with textbook examples of the region’s
varied geological features. Traces of the glacial phases and fault lines marbling the vicinity are
apparent throughout the Wings. For example, the large planar boulders are perhaps the remnants
of a debris field left behind as a glacier receded. An abrupt escarpment on the Eagle Wing’s
southern perimeter is very likely a fault line illustrating the effects of intermittent seismic
activity.
History: From the earliest settlements on Grindstone Island’s shores, the Wings have found
them- selves silent observers of the island community. Throughout the year Grindstone residents
shuttle back and forth to Clayton hauling provisions for island life. Local legends tell of boats
lost to the Wings’ granite teeth in summer squalls, and automobiles lost through the ice in winter.
Discover for yourself what remains of these ill-fated crossings resting beneath the River’s
surface.
Site Markings
The mooring buoy provides
divers with a safe entry and
exit point, while protecting
the shoal below. Please use
the mooring only for diving
and exercise diver etiquette.
Let Nesting Terns Lie: This small grouping
of islands provides rare sanctuary for the
New York State threatened species, the
common tern. In fact, the Eagle Wing
shoals, owned by the Thousand Islands Land
Trust, are some of the last natural island
nesting sites left in the Thousand Islands.
The terns, which look like small, sleek gulls
that dive into the water to feed, are
extremely sensitive to human disturbance.
Please help protect this rare nesting
population by keeping all surface activities a
minimum of 100 yards from shore. Please
use the mooring buoy provided at the site,
and never beach or anchor close to the
shoals themselves.